Lawsuit Alleges Women At Merrill Lynch Were Instructed To Seduce Their Way To The Top

Three former employees of Merrill Lynch have filed a bias lawsuit against the company, alleging that during training they were instructed to read a book entitled Seducing the Boys Club: Uncensored Tactics From a Woman at the Top — and follow its advice.

What sort of advice does Seducing the Boys Club offer? Let's take a look-see at one of the book's passages, courtesy of The Cut.

I play on their masculine pride and natural instincts to protect the weaker sex.

“I can’t figure this out, and I’m exhausted,” I will say to one of the men at the office. “And if it’s not done by tomorrow, I’m dead.”

“I’ll do it,” he’ll invariably say. But his rescue mission won’t be truly satisfying to him unless I show my appreciation for the sacrifice he is making on my behalf. This is as crucial as saying thank you.

“No, no, you’re swamped, too,” I’ll say.

“I’ll make the time for it.”

“Thank you. I love you.”

“I know. You’re welcome.”

It’s like great sex. Everyone walks away feeling fulfilled.

A different part of the book reads, "Unless he is morbidly obese, there is no man on earth who won’t puff up at this sentence: Wow, you look great. Been working out?"

The women were also pressured to attend female-only events addressing topics like "preparing healthy meals while working full-time" and were told to be "perky" and "bubbly."

Appalling. Women currently hold only 8.6 percent of executive officer jobs in the finance industry. Doesn't it seem like we should be living in a day and age where men are given books on how to better embrace women (but not like that) in such a traditionally unequal field?